“Saw X,” the tenth installment in the long-running “Saw” horror film series, directed by Kevin Greutert and released in 2023, continues the legacy of its predecessors with a gruesome blend of psychological horror and moral quandaries. The film operates within the framework of the series’ signature mix of mystery, intricate plotting, and a heavy dose of graphic violence, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats as they try to unravel the twisted motives and identities of the characters involved.

The movie begins with a disturbing scene where Detective Ezekiel Banks (played by Samuel L. Jackson) finds himself trapped in a derelict warehouse. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that he is the latest victim in a series of elaborate games orchestrated by a new Jigsaw copycat killer. This opening sets the tone for a chilling narrative centered around a fresh series of deadly traps and moral tests.

The plot thickens as we follow Banks’ former partner, Detective Brad Halloran (played by Callum Keith Rennie), who has been obsessively trying to track down the copycat killer following several gruesome murders reminiscent of the original Jigsaw’s modus operandi. These killings are elaborately staged, with each victim found in a trap designed not only to punish but to teach twisted lessons about their moral failings, in true Jigsaw fashion.

Parallel to the main investigation, the film introduces a subplot involving a young woman, Emily (played by Maxine Jones), whose backstory ties her to John Kramer (the original Jigsaw), although this connection is initially unclear. Emily’s journey intertwines with the central narrative when she receives a mysterious box containing a tape and a key, thrusting her into the heart of the killer’s game.

As Detective Halloran delves deeper into the case, it becomes apparent that the killer is targeting people involved in a past unsolved case known as the “Harrow Point Massacre,” a brutal crime involving several victims but which was quickly hushed up and buried by influential figures. The victims of the new killer’s traps are revealed to be individuals who had escaped justice for various crimes related to the massacre. Each trap they face is symbolic of their specific crimes, reflecting a perverse sense of justice and retribution.

Meanwhile, Emily’s quest leads her to discover that she is actually Kramer’s illegitimate daughter, kept secret from the public to protect her from his notorious legacy. As she struggles with her identity and the fear of inheriting her father’s psychopathy, she also begins to find clues that suggest she might be more involved in the current killings than she initially thought.

The central narrative converges with Emily’s personal discovery when Detective Halloran and Emily’s paths cross. Halloran, suspecting Emily’s involvement due to her lineage, follows her as she meets with another key character, Dr. Logan Nelson (played by Matt Passmore), who reveals himself as the orchestrator of the new game. Logan, a survivor of one of the original Jigsaw traps, justifies his actions as a continuation of Kramer’s legacy, aiming to rid the world of the corrupt and the unjust who have evaded the law.

In the climax, Halloran finds himself captured and placed in a final, decisive trap alongside Emily. Here, Logan offers them a choice that tests their moral fiber and willingness to sacrifice for redemption. The trap is designed as a poetic justice for Halloran, who is revealed to have been indirectly responsible for the Harrow Point Massacre due to his corrupt actions as a police officer.

The film ends with Emily making a critical choice to save Halloran, thus proving she does not share her father’s legacy of psychopathy. This act of mercy, however, allows Logan to escape, setting the stage for future sequels. Halloran, though severely injured, survives and gains a new perspective on his life and duties as an officer, determined to rectify his past wrongs.

“Saw X” serves as both a continuation and a deepening of the “Saw” series’ exploration of themes of justice, redemption, and the cyclical nature of violence. With its tightly woven plot, intense character arcs, and shocking twists, the film not only adheres to the franchise’s established formula but also revitalizes it by introducing new layers to the moral complexities that define the series. It leaves audiences pondering the true nature of justice and whether the ends can ever truly justify the means.